Physics – Condensed Matter – Strongly Correlated Electrons
Scientific paper
2004-01-06
Chapter in "Quantum magnetism", U. Schollwock, J. Richter, D. J. J. Farnell and R. A. Bishop eds, Lecture Notes in Physics, Sp
Physics
Condensed Matter
Strongly Correlated Electrons
51 pages, 13 figures
Scientific paper
10.1007/BFb0119599
This article contains a theoretical overview of the physical properties of antiferromagnetic Mott insulators in spatial dimensions greater than one. Many such materials have been experimentally studied in the past decade and a half, and we make contact with these studies. The simplest class of Mott insulators have an even number of S=1/2 spins per unit cell, and these can be described with quantitative accuracy by the bond operator method: we discuss their spin gap and magnetically ordered states, and the transitions between them driven by pressure or an applied magnetic field. The case of an odd number of S=1/2 spins per unit cell is more subtle: here the spin gap state can spontaneously develop bond order (so the ground state again has an even number of S=1/2 spins per unit cell), and/or acquire topological order and fractionalized excitations. We describe the conditions under which such spin gap states can form, and survey recent theories (T. Senthil et al., cond-mat/0312617) of the quantum phase transitions among these states and magnetically ordered states. We describe the breakdown of the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson paradigm at these quantum critical points, accompanied by the appearance of emergent gauge excitations.
No associations
LandOfFree
Quantum phases and phase transitions of Mott insulators does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Quantum phases and phase transitions of Mott insulators, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quantum phases and phase transitions of Mott insulators will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-627360